“Robin Aleman is a name to remember,” says Jazz critic Scott Yanow and audiences agree. A native of New York, Robin Aleman’s smooth vocals have been engaging audiences for many years.
Robin’s debut CD, entitled Tonight, was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. Jazz Improv Magazine dubbed the CD “…a promising debut from a talented jazz singer.” Jim McElroy of JazzReview.com writes “Her voice draws you in and surrounds you with an emotional blanket of sound that has a wide range of depth and texture to it.” The CD features classic standards by a wide variety of songwriters: Brubeck, Jobim, Monk and Ellington, to name a few. Robin's natural sense of timing serves her well on a couple of odd-meter arrangements, as evidenced on "Tea For Two" and "Some Day My Prince Will Come". Hidden gems are rediscovered, as with "All Through the Night" by Johnny Mercer & Arthur Schwartz, which on this CD is combined with the Cole Porter tune of the same name.
In addition to working with her own jazz quartet, Robin performs with a Latin band. Of Puerto Rican heritage, salsa music was always playing at family get-togethers. The repertoire for the band encompasses many Latin styles, including salsa, Brazilian jazz and classic boleros.
A faculty member at the Singers Forum in NYC, Robin teaches private lessons in voice. She also enjoys work as a studio singer and voice over artist.
"Hers is a white chocolate sound, intense and pure, swinging and bitter-sweet. Ellen Robinson's CD "Mercy!" showcases the West Coast singer in a beautifully balanced program of standards and fresh material. Keep your ears and eyes open for more Ellen Robinson." Carol Sloane
Swinging and straight-from-the-heart vocals from this adventuresome singer with loads of presence and a diverse selection of songs. Ellen Robinson is known for her ability to sing with a vocal palette that has a wide variety of colors in both her choice of material and also the range of emotions she covers in a performance. Her latest CD "Mercy! Ellen Robinson Live" captures those transparent moments and passionate one-of-a-kind performances in a compilation of songs selected from four different concerts performed since her last CD “On My Way To You.”
Ellen is backed by an array of talented musicians: pianist Ben Flint, bassists John Schifflett and John Wiitala, drummers John Arkin, Andrew Eberhard and Jeff Marrs, and reedman Charles McNeal.
This recording was produced by Ellen on her own EMR MUSIC label with the San Francisco Bay Area’s well loved drummer, jazz treasure and radio personality, Bud Spangler.
“Ellen Robinson is a welcome entree into the world of jazz voices. This CD is a keeper on the ‘play it again’ shelf.” Bruce Tater, KETR - Commerce, TX
Ellen’s singing is enriched by a firm foundation of education and training: she has studied with the legendary Mark Murphy, former Voicestra member Raz Kennedy, jazz vocalists Madeline Eastman and Ann Dyer, cabaret performer Faith Winthrop, and scat singer extraordinaire Kitty Margolis. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree focusing on piano and voice from Ithaca College in New York and continued her education on the graduate level at C.W. Post, Hofstra University, Bank Street College of Education, and SUNY-Stony Brook.
“Ellen Robinson is blessed with great pipes.” Jazz Improv Magazine
Currently Ellen is the Director of the Anything Goes Chorus, a 50 member community chorus for men and women which she founded in 1980 in the San Francisco Bay Area, and three women’s vocal ensembles: Girlfriendz, Swingshift Singers and Treble Makers. She is also a gifted and dedicated vocal coach to many private students.
Yasmine seydi immense love of music and dance is undoubtedly influenced by her rich cultural heritage. Her journey began in Ziguinchor, Senegal, where she was born, then raised in France only to follow her heart to Brazil. She began her artistic career as a dancer with the Brasil Tropical a large troop of forty dancers and musicians. After touring the globe several times and appreciating all the different expressions of each country she nonetheless was drawn back to the melting pot of Brazil and its mix of interbreeding and imaginary.
Three years later she returns to France where she continues her professional course as a dancer performing with various dance groups and cabarets, and participating in TV broadcasts along side the singers. Music and dance is Yasmine’s universe, here these two disciplines unfold and entwine in choreographic harmony. Her passion is directed towards Brazilian songs which she studies with Rolando Faria, jazz with Michele Hendricks and Viviane Ginapé who are within the framework of L' IACP(school of jazz in Paris) and also with Sara Lazarus at the Bill Evans Academy piano in Paris.
Not only, over many years performing as an entertainer in music and dance at various cabarets and shows (Pau Brasil, Pharaon…) , she also has appeared in several jazz clubs and concert halls (7 Lézards, festival of St Denis2007, Festival “ Cores do Brasil, Blue Note(Paris), Casino de Lille, Casino de Saint Jean de Monts…) ”…)
"…to merit being called a jazz singer you have to have something to say-your own story-as it moves you then and there." .... Nat Hentoff
From Louis Armstrong to Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis to Pat Metheny, jazz artists have always sought to tell stories. Judy Wexler is a natural storyteller, with a distinctive voice, full of shadings. She knows how to dig into a song and find its essence. She is also "one of the most focused, unpretentious, no-nonsense, bop-oriented jazz singers around," according to Harvey Siders in JazzTimes, with an "instinctive ability to bring out the best in each song, often taking it into unfamiliar territory," wrote Ken Dryden in All Music Guide. Her 2005 debut, Easy on The Heart, made radio waves and introduced her to a wide jazz audience; now comes the follow-up… debuting at #2 on the national JazzWeek chart, Dreams & Shadows, her new CD on the Jazzed Media label, confirms her ability to find great songs and effortlessly bring them to life. Judy was interviewed on NPR Weekend Edition by Susan Stamberg, who said, "From the evidence on her new second album, Dreams & Shadows, Judy Wexler can sing almost anything."
Judy has sung at the Blue Note in New York, Blues Alley in Washington, DC, Jazz Alley in Seattle, the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, the San Jose Jazz Festival, and the Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival, where she opened the show for the legendary Mose Allison; she has also headlined in venues as diverse as Montreal, Istanbul, Vancouver and , Miami, the Sundance Film Festival, and the 2006 IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) conference in New York, garnering rave reviews and building audiences along the way.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Judy studied piano from the time she was 5, but she gravitated toward theater, acting and singing in high school productions. She majored in psychology and theater at UC Santa Cruz, and after graduating, moved to San Francisco where she continued to perform in theater. Judy met her future husband, her upstairs neighbor, and together they spent a lot of time listening to jazz. "My husband and I lived in North Beach, just a couple of blocks from Keystone Korner," she says (referring to the world-renowned jazz club that closed in the 1980s), "where we frequently heard the finest jazz musicians around. It drew me in then and never let go."
A few years later, the couple moved to Los Angeles. Judy continued performing in theater and television, and guest starred on the hit comedy Frasier. But she was still drawn to jazz and began studying at the Dick Grove Music School. She concentrated on jazz harmony and jazz vocals, and subsequently studied for several years with acclaimed pianist Terry Trotter, with the goal of accompanying herself at the piano. Judy explains, "Finally, I figured I'd be a hundred years old before I'd be as good as I wanted, so I decided I should focus solely on singing." But it took a deathbed wish from her mother to get Judy out on the nightclub stage.
"My mother told me, 'Kid, you want to sing. I'll die happy if you just get out there and do it.' And that was really her final gift to me...she gave me a kick in the ass."
A few years of increased exposure on the L.A. scene earned her a reputation for the craftsmanship and emotional immediacy of her singing, while displaying her knack for compiling a spirited, cliché-free repertoire. Judy collaborated with Alan Pasqua as pianist and arranger for her first disc, Easy on the Heart, which received wide airplay and critical acclaim. Pasqua shared the playing and arranging with Jeff Colella on Judy's new CD, Dreams & Shadows, which has received rave reviews and has remained on the national JazzWeek chart for three months since its March 2008 release. As Christopher Loudon of JazzTimes asserts, "With this exalted follow-up to 2005's superb Easy on the Heart, Wexler proves she's ready to join the top rank of female jazz vocalists."
"I love the freedom of jazz and I love being able to connect with the audience and express myself through the lyrics," Judy beams. "There is so much great material to explore and share. And living in southern California, I get to play with some of the finest jazz musicians in the world. It's a privilege that I never forget when I get up to sing."
DARIA’s three-octave range and distinctive, powerful voice are the culmination of years of study with acknowledged masters of jazz, classical and popular music. Continuing to incorporate her love of Latin styles of music and world rhythms with jazz, her latest offering showcases her impeccable voice. Her passion for the music she’s chosen shines through as she fills each tune with life and energy. She builds on her solid jazz foundation and deftly breaks new ground, satisfying listeners of all persuasions. “Daria is the real deal” – All About Jazz
DARIA also brings her songwriting talent to this CD, recording three original songs that she co-wrote with other musicians. In addition, she experiments with African, Rhumba, Samba, Fusion and Pop sounds. “Each song on this CD has its own special rhythm and tempo. I wanted to do something unusual with a blend of all of these diverse influences.” This fresh approach to standards creates a much more varied and interesting recording. Each song paints a different picture, leading the listener through a palette of subtle moods and images. “With some tunes I was attracted to the melodies and others the lyrics. I wanted to have a wide range of colors to play with.” “First rate” – Don Heckman, L.A. Times
As on her previous CD, DARIA has enlisted the talents of some of the world’s most accomplished musicians. “Producers and arrangers Frank Martin (producer, arranger, pianist, composer) and Wayne Wallace (producer, arranger, trombonist, composer and triple Grammy nominee) are amazing and their contribution helped to fulfill my vision for this CD.” Her new offering also features Alex Acuna, Jose Neto, William Kennedy, Marc Russo and members of the Turtle Island String Quartet, to name a few. “Five Shining Stars!” – The Jazz Review
In 1998 DARIA released her CD "Just The Beginning" to high critical acclaim and international airplay. This CD featured an extraordinary lineup of musicians. Many of them had previously recorded and toured with such luminaries as Flora Purim, Carlos Santana, Sarah Vaughan and Zakir Hussain. A glowing review was featured in Jazz Improv Magazine, Vol. I, #2 (distributed worldwide). A compilation disc that accompanied the review included jazz giants Clifford Brown, Joe Henderson, and Randy Brecker and featured “You Stepped Out of A Dream,” a track from DARIA’s CD. "Just The Beginning" reached number 5 on the charts of WNOP radio in Cincinnati and DARIA enjoys the notable distinction of being chosen several times as favorite artist of the week on various Internet radio programs worldwide. As Jazz Now Magazine quotes, “Daria has all the equipment to propel her into the top ranks of contemporary Jazz vocalists. A well endowed voice, extensive range, diction----an unerring sense of dynamics and time. It doesn't require a crystal ball to predict that you'll be hearing much more from Daria."
Born and raised in San Francisco, California, DARIA grew up in a family of artists. Her father, a former classical violinist in the symphony, and her novelist mother, supported her creative endeavors.
DARIA’s own musical journey began at the age of 6 when she started studying classical piano. As a child, her father taught her how to read symphonic scores, giving her a foundation on which to build her skills in reading music. She sang in choirs and madrigal groups while attending grade school through high school. “I knew that I wanted to be a singer when I was a little girl,” DARIA shares. “At home I was constantly surrounded by musicians and artists and I grew up listening to all kinds of music. I fell in love with jazz when I was a teen and my parents definitely encouraged me to follow my path. When I first heard jazz I was instantly hooked. I was also drawn to popular styles of music as well as music from other cultures.”
DARIA’s interests followed many directions: she was a member of two Bay Area Eastern European dance troupes, she earned a degree in Foreign Languages and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from New College of California, with an emphasis on early childhood music education. Many wonderful voice teachers, including two notable vocalists Bobby McFerrin and Mark Murphy, instructed her. She also studied Brazilian music with the talented and innovative Celia Malheiros, creator of Carnival in San Francisco. Some of DARIA'S influences include Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horne, Diane Reeves, Anita O'Day, Annie Ross, Mark Murphy, Elis Regina, Dory Caymi, Djavan, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Flora Purim.
DARIA has performed internationally and at venues and festivals including Yoshi's, Mr. E's (Pete Escovedo’s nightclub), Noe Valley Ministry, Freight and Salvage, Pearl’s, Empire Plush Room, Sweetwater, 142 Throckmorton Theatre, The Vic For Jazz (L.A.), concerts sponsored by Jazz In Flight and the San Francisco Jazz Festival, The Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival, numerous wineries, clubs in Nagoya, Brussels and Berlin. She has appeared on KGO, KPOO, KCSM, KKUP and KPFA radio and has been a featured artist on radio programs such as Sunday Night Suites and I'm Talking Jazz (KCSM). DARIA has recorded backup vocals on various projects and voice-overs for radio commercials. She is a regular touring member of the renowned Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. The internationally known Bread and Roses charitable organization recently presented her with an award of appreciation for her outstanding performance contribution. Daria is an active member of NARAS and the California Jazz Foundation. Along with her active touring career, she is a professional vocal instructor and teaches workshops, classes and private lessons.
Cecilia Alessandra nació en Lima en el corazón de una familia que gustaba de la música. Comezó su carrera muy joven. Preparándose para su carrera, estudió 5 años de impostación de la voz, guitarra,teatro y expresión corporal. Inició su carrera profesional en Río de Janeiro. Luego de esa rica experiencia, regresó al Perú actuando en hoteles, clubs privados y auditorios, cantando en español, portugués e inglés, logrando un alto estatus como una versatil vocalista. Tuvo oportunidad de cantar en Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, México, Colombia y USA, con un repertprio diverso cantando música peruana, boleros, jazz y bossa nova. Recientemente graba su primera producción discográfica titulada CAUDALOSA, Fusión Peruana, CD que contiene 12 tracks de diversas músicas del mundo, pero hilvanadas con ritmos afroperuanos y con un sonido contemporáneo.
Cecilia Alessandra was born in Lima, Peru in a heart of a family who practiced music amaturely. In fact, the little girl quickly becomes sensitive to the music. She started performing very young, in middle school. After finishing her studies she decided to devote her life to the music, taking classes of body expression, theater and singing techniques. She began her professional career in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. After this rich experience, she started to perform successfully in hotels, private clubs and auditoriums in her Country, Peru, singing songs in Spanish, Portuguese and English, earning a high status as a contemporary and versatile vocalist. She took the opportunity to travel to other Countries like Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States singing peruvian songs, romantic music- bolero, jazz, Brazilian songs, country, blues and latin music. Blessed with her unique voice, Cecilia Alessandra has overcome all barriers including languages, but with her very own style and her electrifying charm, she has gained affection from everybody who has listened to her singing. Recently, Cecilia have launched her first CD, named CAUDALOSA, a sort of peruvian fusion but including contemporary sounds. Here you can hear some of the tracks of CAUDALOSA.
Connie Lansberg, born in LA and schooled in London, started out as a songwriter before launching onto the live scene in Melbourne and while enjoying the experience of singing songs written by the greatest songwriters ever, her real joy is singing her own compositions played by talented jazz musicians. With the help of some of the VCA’s top players, Tom Jovanovic (trumpet) James Bower (Piano) James Gilligan (Bass) Pete Hodges (drums) Connie Lansberg treats her audience to her melodic and sometimes dark stories, much in vein of June Christy’s “Night People”. She pays tribute to June Christy’s song choice as well with versions of “Something Cool” and Everything happens to Me” along with some of June’s happier tunes like “I’m in Love.
Lilly Abreu is one of Brazil’s greatest cultural assets, a versatile artist with numerous appearances as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras and chamber ensembles in France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, United States and Brazil. Among her many honors, Lilly Abreu has performed for Brazil’s First Lady Mrs. Ruth Cardoso and at RIO ECO-92, the world ecological conference in Rio de Janeiro.
Lilly Abreu is on the roster of the Pittsburgh Opera and has been in recent productions of Romeo and Juliette, Pagliacci, Cosi Fan Tutti, Faust, Carmen, The Flying Dutchman, Street Scene, Turandot, Il Trovatore, La Traviata, Falstaff and Tosca at the Benedum Theater. Ms. Abreu has been in roles such as Pamina, Papagena, Euridice, Drusilla, Anna Gomez, Papagena and Frasquita.
Lilly Abreu was a winner of the 1998 Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition and a guest artist on the 1999 Chamber Music Concert Series where she sang the Bachianas Brasileiras 5 with the entire cello section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. At the invitation of music director Andrés Cárdenes, Ms. Abreu sang Bach’s Wedding Cantata with the Culver City Chamber Orchestra in Hollywood and Culver City, California and appeared as a guest soloist in the Steamboat Springs “Strings in the Mountains” Festival.
In addition to her classical engagements, Ms. Abreu is also an accomplished popular music artist, performing regularly some of the greatest tunes of the Brazilian repertoire, as well as Broadway and Jazz standards. She has just released a CD of Brazilian Popular Songs with the Grammy nominated string quartet Cuarteto Latinoamericano, entitled BOSSA.
Dubbing for the Disney movies in Brazil, Lilly recorded Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Bambi, Song of the South, 101 Dalmatians CD-ROM, and Disney on Ice in the voice of Cinderella.
Other career highlights in Brazil include performances with Ópera-Brasil, Rio Jazz Orchestra, Brasil Barroco, Maite-Tchu, Trio Renascentista, Coro do Rio with concerts at Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Teatro Amazonas, Teatro Goiânia, Sala Cecilia Meireles, Consulado de Portugal, Paço Imperial, Ibam, BNDES, Universidade do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Teatro Ipanema, Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Sala Funarte, Casa de Cultura Laura Alvim, Jazzmania and appearances in TV shows such as Clássicos na TV Educativa, Domingão do Faustão, Show da Xuxa, Show da Angélica, TV Pirata, Radio Jornal do Brasil and Globo FM.
Ms. Abreu is in demand as a soprano, and currently teaches at Voice at Carnegie Mellon University and Portuguese at the University of Pittsburgh. Ms Abreu received her Master’s in Voice Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and her Bachelor’s of Music from Federal University of Goiás (Brazil). For upcoming performances and more info, please visit www.lillyabreu.com.
Alexis VAN EECKHOUT, a self-made musician and a student of the American Saxophonist J.R. MONTROSE, comes back with what is called a "JAZZ-FRESH" (chill-out) style. His musical experience started at a very early age in his family. His first instrument of predilection whas the Clarinet. He played some Classical pieces o f music with his father who was a professional Classical Composer, Organist, and Orchestra's Chief., Later, he played Tenor, Alto and Soprano saxophones with several Belgian bands . Since 1997, he has focused on blending his musical experiences and influences in order to create his own style. Working on his musical phrasing, melody, harmonisation and rythm as well as on a global musical ambiance for each piece. These pieces have been composed, interpreted ( Tenor-sax, Keyboards, Piano ), programmed ( Keyboards, Synth, Acoustic piano vsti, Fender piano vsti, Violins vsti, Bass vsti, Drums vsti, Percussions vsti) and recorded by Alexis VAN EECKHOUT himself in his Home-Studio .
Born and raised in Reading, PA, when Liza was 13, she persuaded her mother to take her to New York to begin auditioning for theater, TV and film. She gained one of the top children’s talent managers and began working. Having had a busy career acting and performing on stage, in off-Broadway shows, film, television, commercials, cabaret and touring productions, Liza began to grow tired of the routine. “I remember standing on the stage performing in a musical and feeling like it was time to move on. I had been in shows since I was four years old (locally) and professionally since I was thirteen. I wanted to try something different. I realized that I never wanted to abandon performing but I also knew that a creative shift was in order.”
Liza was in Pennsylvania trying to figure out what it was that she wanted to do. “During this time I met an amazing man and vocal teacher who changed my life. His name was Paul Scholastico. Mr. Scholastico lived in a shack (literally) in the middle of nowhere with his books and music. He is the one who taught me that performing should be a transcendent experience. That if I could let go and let the notes and words become a bridge between the audience and myself then I could be a vessel for music. Mr. Scholastico passed away on the day that I finished my first professional demo. I remember feeling that he was there with me in the booth and not being sure why. When I got home from the studio that night my mother told me the news. I am still trying to learn to be the performer that he believed I could be.”
Liza relocated to New York to live full time. She began to study music with world-renowned jazz pianist and composer Bruce Barth who became her mentor and accompanist. “I was new to the jazz world. I didn’t really understand what a force Bruce is on the jazz scene. Eventually he told me that he felt that I could make a living as a jazz vocalist so I decided to give it a go. I suppose that that may sound a bit strange to just sort of say ‘Ok, now I sing jazz!’ but that is really how this period in my life began.” During this time Liza also studied vocal technique with Jeannette LoVetri, Luciana Souza and Eric Mingus.
Liza and her band went into the studio and recorded her first full-length project "Scarlet Mark", which Bruce played on and co-produced. The release of this project led Liza to receive worldwide airplay, and she toured internationally. Liza also captured the attention of International Creative Management (I.C.M.) agent Bob Zievers. “Bob heard the title track, which was the only original song on “Scarlet” and asked me if I had more original material? We had a meeting where I took him a folder filled with lyrics and left them with him. He called me the next morning and said that he wanted to help me get my songs and thoughts out into the world. He said that the openness and rawness of my writing reminded him of Frida Kahlo’s paintings. This compliment still blows me away. To be compared to anyone with her passion and talent is both terrifying and humbling.”
“My writing is where I let it all out. Or where I can imagine myself in someone else’s skin. I am also incredibly concerned about the terrible state of things in our world right now. I have always been a writer. I have always been an outspoken individual about many issues. Writing the material for my new CD’s just seemed like the natural progression in my growth as an artist.”
Liza is thrilled to announce that she is about to release a new jazz project entitled “Anima” which will benefit “The Society For Women’s Health Research” due to be released in fall of 2008. “I feel like “Anima” has a lot more texture than “Scarlet” did. “Anima” also features more original material than “Scarlet Mark” which is very exciting for me. And the covers that I am doing are songs that really resonate with me. I am much more confident this time around. I feel like I have grown a lot both vocally and emotionally since my last CD and I really feel like people will be able to hear that on “Anima”.”
Liza is also excited to be recording her first completely original music project “Houses of Detention” with Producer, guitarist and composer Joe Davi [Mya (Interscope), Akon (Universal), Foxy Brown (Universal), Noreaga (Penalty), Big Punisher (Loud), Kelis (Jive Records), Remy Ma (Universal) as well as Neyo and Jennifer Hudson] has signed on as producer and has helped to pen a few of the new tracks. “Joe originally comes from a jazz background but he has worked with R&B, rap and pop superstars. He loves alternative and anti-folk as well as Emo. And he can be found running around town catching Broadway musicals, operas and classical concerts. I feel like I have found a similarly schizophrenic musical soul mate. Joe will rein me in when I need it but he also loves to knock down genre walls. Not to mention co-writing with Pat O’Leary (bassist, producer and composer) who will say, ‘Liza, have you heard this field tape of musical examples originally derived from Mauritania, West Africa yet?’ I normally answer, ' Uhm, no, Pat, but let’s hear it.' I am really able to delve into emotionally tough lyrics, add an extra beat here and there and change tempos without either of them wincing. Right now with everything that I have got going on I am in musical heaven!”
An increasingly significant performer, Liza Lee is poised to become an important voice of the 21st century.
Marcela Ro nació en Hermosillo, Sonora y es psicóloga egresada de Universidad de Sonora. Comenzó su carrera como cantante muy temprano en 1987, dentro del programa de la Peña de la Casa de la Cultura de Hermosillo, acompañada por el grupo Opat Kapljlin. Después formó parte del Coro de la Universidad de Sonora y trabajó haciendo jingles comerciales hablados y cantados.
En 1991 ganó el primer Festival de la Canción Universitaria, con el tema original “Sin amor” de Albero Sánchez. En 1992 se integró al grupo Stretto, el cual hasta ese momento sólo interpretaba música instrumental.
En 1998 viajó al Distrito Federal para estudiar canto con el maestro Gabriel Mijares. Participó en un programa del Instituto de Cultura de la Ciudad de México llamado “Vox Fémina”, con figuras como Lila Downs, Betsy Pecanins, Margie Bermejo.
Canto en centros nocturnos en Polaco, hizo coros para María Antonieta de las Nieves “La Chilindrina” y grabó demos de compositores para cantantes como Yuri y Alejandra Guzmán, entre otras. Además, contribuyó con su voz en un proyecto de música infantil “Despierta a la vida cantando”, junto a Reyli y Raúl Ornelas (Tres de copas).
En el 2000 regresó a Hermosillo y fue en el Tec de Monterrey para inscriirse a una maestría en Educación a fin de olvidarse por completo de la música, pero afortunadamente ese septiembre se llevó a cabo el Festival de la Canción del Tec, organizado por su hermana Yael Robles. La noche del Festival, hubo una reunión en casa de Marcela con Gerardo Peña, Chema Frías y Mexicanto. Después de cantar toda la noche con ellos, supo que no habría vuelta de hoja.
Un mes después, cantaba con Stretto en una graduación en el restaurant “La casa Grande”. En el salón contiguo estaba Jorge Estrada, director musical del grupo que acompañaba a Alejandro Fernández, la vio por una ventana y atraído por a pasión que transmitía por su canto a través del virio, fue a escucharla. Al concluir la plática, Marcela decidió irse a Guadalajara para trabajar en un proyecto que se materializó con el cd “Universo Compartido” (2003).
En el 2001 acompañó como corista a Alejandro Fenández a su gira en centro y sudamérica que inició en el Festival Viña del Mar.
Mientras se hacían las grabaciones de “Universo Compartido”, el maestro Vicente Garrido contrató el mismo estudio para un proyecto personal de su obra inédita.
Escuchó a Marcela y la invitó para que interpretara tres de sus canciones en una presentación en el Hotel Hilton de Guadalajara. Se convirtió en asistente de Garrido y colaboró con él en una producción que aún sigue sin editarse, después de su muerte.
La noche que se presentó en el Hilton, entre el público se encontraba el periodista Carlos Díaz Barriga, quien había estado trabajando en un libro sobre el legendario compositor Mario Ruiz Armengol. Gratamente impresionado, invitó a Marcela a conocer a “Mayito” en su pequeño estudio en la XEW en la Ciudad de México. Convencido, Ruiz Armengol le dio dos canciones inéditas para su disco “Universo compartido” (Ternura y Dame un momento).
En el 2003, se encontró con Alberto Cortéz, para quien abrió dos presentaciones de su gira por México en el 2006.
En el 2003, entró a dar clases de canto en la academia de música Zamar Music de Guadalajara. En ese mismo tiempo se inscribió allí Mati Covarrubias, una brillante cantautora que ya había tenido la experiencia de grabar un cd, “Entre música y libertad”. De inmediato hubo química y se pusieron a trabajar en un nuevo proyecto que dio como resultado el álbum “Sea lo que sea”.
Una intensa gira de promoción en medios y presentaciones en vivo llevó a Marcela a numerosas ciudades del territorio nacional. “Sea lo que sea” fue presentado oficialmente por Reyli Barba, quien la invitó a compartir el escenario en tres conciertos en el 2005 y en el 2006 se reunieron de nuevo en el Festival por la Tierra en Huatulco. Después se vendría su presentación en el Zócalo Capitalino en el Festival Donamor, y el Festival del Barrio Antiguo en Monterrey.
En febrero del 2006, hizo una temporada en el Mascabrothers Show Center de la Ciudad de México. En este mismo año, participó con varias presentaciones en el Segundo Festival Internacional del Bolero en Venezuela.
Apenas un esbozo del sendero recorrido por Marcela Ro, camino que vislumbra horizontes promisorios. Sigue dando pasos seguros, Marcela…pero que sea cantando.
Nasce na Covilhã, Serra da Estrela (Portugal). Filha dos escritores Maria Alberta Menéres e E. M. de Melo e Castro. Em Lisboa estuda Artes Gráficas, aprende Piano e Canto. Em Londres estuda Cinema e Fotografia, na London Film School.
1977 Cria ( com Seme Lutfi e Alberta Melo e Castro) e actua como actriz, no Grupo de Teatro ÂNIMA, desenvolvendo um trabalho de poesia experimental concreta, sonora e visual encenada.
Integra o grupo de teatro "A Barraca" em 1977/78, onde trabalha, entre outros, com Augusto Boal, Mário Viegas, Maria do Céu Guerra e Júlio Pereira.
1978 Estreia-se como actriz de cinema no primeiro filme de Joaquim Leitão "Prá Frentex". No mesmo ano, protagoniza com Luís Lucas o filme "Três Corvos Negros", produzido para a RTP (Radiotelevisão Potuguesa) e integrado na série Contos Tradicionais Portugueses.
1979 – 1985 Compõe, interpreta e produz musicalmente 8 bandas sonoras de filmes de animação, da série "Ouriço Cacheiro", para a RTP, no âmbito do intercâmbio de filmes de animação para a UER (União Europeia de Radiotelevisão).
1980 Apresenta na RTP uma série de 24 programas semanais de Televisão. Em "Quadrados e quadradinhos", estreia-se como produtora musical, cantora e compositora, acompanhada pelos também estreantes Trovante.
1981 Vai ao Brasil convidar Wagner Tiso para gravar o primeiro disco "Terra de Mel", onde participam músicos brasileiros e portugueses. Nesse ano é considerado o melhor disco editado em Portugal e Eugénia a melhor cantora portuguesa. Pelo sucesso de “Terra de Mel” e “Águas de Todo o Ano”, é distinguida com o SE7E de Ouro.
Desenvolve uma intensa relação, musical e pessoal, com uma série de artistas brasileiros, que materializa nos trabalhos seguintes e se revela determinante no rumo da sua carreira, conquistando cada vez mais espaço quer em Portugal quer no Brasil.
Neste contexto, conduz uma pesquisa profunda da música que se fez no começo do século XX em ambos os países. Estreita laços musicais e poéticos, afirmando a sua liberdade em todos os seus discos.
1996 - Cinema Volta a fazer cinema, como atriz e cantora, em 1998 com o filme "Bocage, o Triunfo do Amor" de Djalma Limonge Batista. A obra é distinguida no Sundance Film Festival, em Utha, com a melhor Direcção Artística.
1998 Destas viagens, trabalhos, concertos e gravações, nasce a ideia de alargar a sua experiência pessoal a outros artistas de ambos os países. Idealiza e cria o programa de televisão “Atlântico”, realizado e produzido em Lisboa no Verão de 1998. É emitido a partir de Março de 1999, em Portugal pela RTP e no Brasil através da TV Cultura, e reune, durante 14 semanas, duplas de cantores e compositores dos dois países. “Atlântico” é idealizado e apresentado por Eugénia e conta com o convidado especial Nelson Motta na co-apresentação dos 14 programas.
16 discos em 20 anos Entre 1982 e 2002, grava 16 discos, onde se incluem duas edições ao vivo.Todos os seus trabalhos têm lançamentos em Portugal e no Brasil.
Parcerias Nestes trabalhos, e nos espectáculos que apresenta em Portugal e no Brasil, desenvolve parcerias autorais e vocais com vários compositores e intérpretes como Tom Jobim, Wagner Tiso, Caetano Veloso, Toninho Horta, Francis Hime, Celso Fonseca Guto Graça Mello, Jon Lucien, Gonzaguinha, Vinícius Cantuária, Ney Matogrosso, Milton Nascimento, Chico Buarque, Simone, Carlos Lyra, Paulo Jobim, Gal Costa, Ana Mariana, Egberto Gismonti, Mário Laginha, António Pinho Vargas, Pedro Caldeira Cabral, Márcio Montarroyos, Zeca Assumpção, Nico Assumpção, Artur Maia, Paulo Moura, Jaques Morenlembaum, Nelson Ayres, Paulo Bellinati, Fábio Tagliafferri, Orquestra Brasileira de Cordas, Rio Cello Ensemble, Edgard Barbosa Poças, Orquetra Jazz Sinfónico de S.Paulo, Camerata Tiso, Jorge Ben Jor, Eduardo Queiróz, Emílio Mendonça, Renato Consorte e Christiano Rocha.
2002 Estreia como compositora musical, completando assim o seu lado autoral, uma vez que sempre assinou a maioria das letras que canta. Com o CD “Paz” abre-se uma nova janela criativa no seu trabalho musical. Ao lado do produtor brasileiro Eduardo Queiróz, desenvolve a sua linha musical actual com novos arranjos para musicas suas, novas linguagens e permanente canal aberto para os novos sons, novas parcerias e autorias inéditas.
2003 Dedica este ano ao lançamento do disco “Paz”. Grava o CD “Paz ao vivo”, que sai no Natal deste ano. Deste trabalho, retira o single “dança_da_ lua.2004.doc” que edita em Agosto. Nomeada, na categoria de melhor cantora nacional pelo seu disco PAZ para os Globos de Ouro 2003, em Portugal. Em Outubro apresenta um conjunto de espectáculos em Portugal, numa tourné que visita as principais cidades do país.
2004 Grava os cds Dança da Luz e DESCONSTRUÇÃO .
Shows ao Vivo Ao longo dos últimos 15 anos faz diversas tournés por todo o Brasil. Em S. Paulo, actua no Supremo Música, no Teatro Hilton, no Teatro Crown Plaza, no Memorial da América Latina, no SESC Pompeia, no SESC Vila Mariana, no teatro Municipal de S. Paulo com Orquestra Jazz Sinfónica, com a qual se apresenta no parque Ibirapuera por 3 vezes para 50.000 pessoas em cada show. Canta e faz temporadas de shows no teatro do MASP, no Teatro Cultura Artística, no Credit Card Hall, no Tom Brasil, no La Luna e na Pinacoteca do Estado.
No Rio canta nos seguintes teatros: Teatro Municipal, Jazzmania, Canecão, Mistura Fina, Concha Acústica da Gávea, Teatro cecília Meirelles, Teatro Ipanema, Paço Imperial, Espaço Cultural Banco do Brasil, Morro da Urca – Noites Cariocas, Golderoom do Copacabana Palace, Circo Voador, Fundição Progresso, Interlagos – Rio Centro festival de Jazz. De alguns destes shows saem 2 cd's ao vivo e vários especiais de televisão.
Já em 2003, grava em S. Paulo um show especial para a Sony Music Entertainment Television, para exibição nesse canal de televisão e edição em DVD.
2005 Lança e divulga o Cd DESCONSTRUÇÃO em Portugal e no Brasil.
Faz mais de 30 Shows no Brasil no Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizinte, Vitória do Espirito Santo, e em São apulo, no SESC Vila Mariana, no SESC Pinheiros, no Tom Jazz, e no interior do Estado de São Paulo, onde fez tourne pelas principais cidades. No Natal o CD esta colocado nos 3 lugar doTOP de Worl Music da FNAC Brasil.
2006 Faz shows até finais de Março no Brasil. Regressa a Portugal, onde inicia uma pesquisa de musicas Pop de Portugal.
2007 Comemora 25 anos do lançamento do seu primeiro disco - Terra de Mel Assina contrato com a UNIVERSAL MUSIC Portugal. Em Abril / Maio grava o Cd POPORTUGAL em São Paulo. Lança o CD POPORTUGAL em Portugal em Junho de 2007. Junho 2007 - Faz 5 espectáculos em Portugal - dia 16 - LISBOA no CCB, Grande Auditório, 21 em Ponta Delgada, 23 na Covilhã, 28 em Coimbra ,e dia 30 no Porto na Casa da Musica. Em Setembro lança em Portugal os discos PAZ e DESCONSTRUÇÃO Duplo, com novas masterizações.e novas capas. Em Novembro regressa ao Brasil onde faz shows ate o fim do ano.
2008
Lança no Brasil os discos PAZ, Eugénia canta Vinícius de Moraes, desconstrução Duplo e Duetos x 16. - todos saiem em edições brasileiras da Brazilmusica / Atração. Dia 23 de janeiro faz show especial integralmente cantado em Inglês, no Bourbon Street, em São Paulo. Grava TANTO, musica e letra de Sergio Basbaum, com violão de Swami Jr. Dias 8 , 9 , 10 , e 12 de Fevereiro faz shows comemorativo de 25 anos de carreira no Brasil, no Sesc Santo André, SESC Pinheiros e SESC Rio Preto. Em Abril lança no Brasil pela EMI do Brasil o seu novo disco POPORTUGAL.
Menos de um ano após lançar seu primeiro CD, Uma dama também quer se divertir (Zambodiscos), Mariana Baltar começa a se firmar como uma artista de destaque no cenário brasileiro. Além do reconhecimento do público e da imprensa, sempre com boas críticas, a cantora foi indicada à categoria Revelação no Prêmio Tim de Música 2007.
Dançando desde os três anos de idade, a carioca de Copacabana envolveu-se profundamente com o samba na adolescência, quando tornou-se bailarina e professora de dança de salão da Cia. Aérea de Dança: companhia nascida e criada no Circo Voador, que pesquisa e desenvolve o samba em moldes inovadores. Com a Cia. Aérea - onde esteve por 13 anos - participou de vários espetáculos nos EUA e Europa, inclusive acompanhando artistas como Jorge Ben Jor e Zeca Pagodinho.
E quando a música começou a falar mais alto, tornou-se vocalista da cantora Daúde e integrou, em seguida, o projeto Gafieira Dance Brasil, criado por Paulo Moura e Cliff Korman, atuando como cantora e bailarina. Mais shows pelos 2 continentes.
De volta ao Rio e à sua escola de dança de salão na Praça Tiradentes, Mariana foi uma das idealizadoras do Centro Cultural Carioca - hoje referência de boa música na cidade - inaugurado em julho de 2001. Animou as noites de sábado da casa, antigo dancing Eldorado, durante 4 anos.
Ali Mariana costumava interpertar pérolas de Assis Valente, Geraldo Pereira, Billy Blanco, Ary Barroso e, é claro, o Feitiço da Vila do carioquíssimo Noel Rosa. Entre os compositores mais novos, não faltavam Chico Buarque e Dona Ivone Lara. E como boa filha de um pernambucano, Mariana também cantava clássicos da música nordestina, fazendo com que o público cantasse e dançasse ao som da boa música brasileira.
Em 2006, nasceu seu primeiro "filhote", com ela mesma costuma dizer, Uma dama também quer se divertir. O cd, cujo primeiro show de lançamento foi no Rio de Janeiro, teve ótima aceitação do público e da crítica especializada.
Em 2007, a cantora integrou o projeto Sementes, no Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil / RJ, dividindo o palco com o sambista Nelson Sargento, e fez participação especial no grande baile de carnaval do Cordão do Boitatá, na Praça XV. Esteve em cartaz por nove meses no musical Império, de Miguel Falabella e Josimar Carneiro, onde interpretou uma dama da corte espanhola, a Manchega, que viveu no Brasil durante a vinda da família real portuguesa, acompanhando Carlota Joaquina, interpretada por Stella Miranda. No segundo semestre, Mariana dividiu o palco do Canecão com Ana Costa e o grupo Galocantô, fez participação especial no grande baile do Bangalafumenga na Fundição Progresso ao lado de Teresa Cristina e integrou dois grandes eventos ligados ao Dia do Samba. O primeiro deles foi a I Feira Carioca do Samba, que reuniu diversos artistas sob a direção artística de HugoSukman e Cláudio Jorge no Centro Municipal de Referência da Musica Carioca. O segundo foi um grande evento nos Arcos da Lapa, em que Beth Carvalho recebeu a nova geração do samba. Mariana esteve ao lado de Diogo Nogueira, Casuarina e Nilze Carvalho, entre outros.
Em 2008, a cantora planeja gravar 2 CDs e seguir difundindo seu trabalho mundo afora.
Well known to local jazz enthusiasts, guitarist and composer Eric Susoeff has been part of the Pittsburgh music scene since his debut with Harold Betters at the Encore in 1976. Offering a warm, bluesy, full-bodied sound, he has played with a long list of local and international luminaries including: Dizzy Gillespie, David Amram, Roger Williams, Charo, Frankie Avalon, Marty Allen, Eric Kloss, Frank Cunimondo, Gene Ludwig, Pete Henderson, Dave & Maureen Budway, Sandy Staley, Kenia, Roger Humphreys, H.B. Bennett, Kenny Blake, Walt Harper, Nathan Davis, Don Aliquo, John Wilson and many others. His primary focus continues to be his Latin jazz quintet Salsamba, founded in 1984, which has played to clubs, festivals and colleges throughout the U.S. The group receintly released their fifth recording titled "Brazilia." Past releases (MAMBO IN BLUE, MAMBO DEL SOL, LATINVENTIONS, THE TRAVELER) all received critical acclaim.
Joy cresceu num pequeno povo em Pennsylvania. Sempre sonhou cantar na cidade de Nova Iorque. Hoje faz 9 anos que canta música Jazz e Brasileira em Nova Iorque e em todo o mundo. Seu primeiro cd, Coming Alive, foi lançado no 2006, e recebeu críticas muito boas. Joy foi reconhecida recentemente como uma das melhores 525 cantoras de Jazz de acordo ao respeitado critico Scott Yanow.
Growing up in a small town in rural eastern Pennsylvania, Joy always had dreams of performing in New York City. She has now been doing that for the past 9 years, singing her fresh interpretations of favorites from the American jazz repertoire and Brazilian tradition, in NYC and around the world. Her first full-length CD, Coming Alive, was released in 2006 to excellent reviews, and displays her soulful style, warm tones and intelligent phrasing. Joy was recently named as one of the top 525 jazz singers of all time by respected L.A. critic, Scott Yanow.
